Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) Nature Trail

Traversing the enchanting Elephant Hike in Taipei, Taiwan, where the wilderness unfolds its wonders with each step. 🐘🏞️ Through verdant forests and winding paths, nature's symphony surrounds, with the chorus of birdsong and rustling foliage. 🌿 Towering trees stand sentinel, guardians of ancient secrets veiled in time. 🌳 As elevation rises, the urban bustle recedes, yielding to a tranquil solitude amidst nature's embrace. 🌄 At the peak, Taipei's skyline unfolds beneath the vast expanse of the sky, a harmonious blend of cityscape and wilderness. 🏙️ Beneath the canopy of clouds, simplicity reigns supreme, offering respite from life's complexities. ☁️ The mountain breeze whispers tales of old, echoing through rugged terrain and lush greenery. 🌬️ Here, amidst untamed landscapes, a deep connection to Earth's essence is forged, bridging the gap between humanity and the natural world. 🌍 The Elephant Hike is more than a mere journey; it's an odyssey beckoning us to rediscover the rhythm of existence. 🌱 With each descent, a renewed reverence for Taiwan's wilderness is carried forth, a testament to its boundless beauty. 🌺 As the sun sets on this memorable expedition, we're reminded that amidst life's clamor, nature's embrace offers the greatest treasures. #tripstars

#hiddengems If there’s one thing you must do in Taipei, it’s hike up Elephant Mountain for sunset. The views up here are not just the best in the city, but also one of our favourites in the whole of Taiwan. The view of Taipei 101 towering over the skyline is magical, especially when it is framed by the forest that covers Elephant Mountain. The easiest way to get to Elephant Mountain is to take the red line to Xiangshan MTR Station (it took us 15 minutes from Taipei Main Station).

Xiangshan Trail in Taipei is the best location to capture Taipei 101 and the city's panoramic view. It's not far from the MRT station, and there are many restaurants nearby, making it a convenient spot. The trail takes about 15 minutes to reach the viewpoint, and many photography enthusiasts arrive early in the morning. It's recommended to arrive a little before sunset to capture daytime, sunset, blue hour, and night views, which are all very beautiful. This is a free attraction and highly recommended. Remember to go on a sunny day to see the exceptionally beautiful scenery!

If you’re looking for the best view to see the beautiful city of Taipei, head over to the Elephant mountain trail for a short hike! Takes about 20min to climb up the steps! Definitely a beautiful sight. We headed over for a sunrise hike and it was not busy at all! You can also try heading over for a sunset hike. We actually took a Uber over because it was too early and there were no trains. Overall, this was one of the best view of Taipei and we would highly recommend!

The Horseshoe Viewing Platform is located near Thumb Mountain on the sixth section of the Taipei Grand Trail. From here, you can see the Taipei cityscape, especially the 101 Tower. It's a great spot for sightseeing and taking photos, making it a popular check-in and fitness destination with many visitors. Recommended routes: Start from China University of Science and Technology in Nangang and walk the sixth section of the Taipei Grand Trail. This route guarantees you will walk ten thousand steps a day, which is very beneficial for your health. Alternatively, you can exit at Yongchun MRT Station and walk along Songshan Road, Yongchun Gang Park, Xiangshan Trail, and Renzi Stele to reach the Horseshoe Viewing Platform. All roads lead to Rome, so choose the one that suits you best. This beautiful place is highly recommended.

Xiangshan Elephant Mountain, also known as Elephant Mountain, is a small mountain located in the suburbs of Taipei. The area boasts well-preserved forests and offers several hiking trails. It is a popular spot for tourists to take photos of Taipei city and the Taipei 101 building from the scenic viewpoints. At the base of the mountain, before starting the hike, there is a % Arabica coffee shop where visitors can enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee. 🚍 Getting there: Take the MRT to Xiangshan Station and follow the path through Xiangshan Park. Continue uphill, and after passing a curve, you will see the stairs leading up the mountain and the coffee shop.

Taipei: Yangmingshan/Beitou Hot Springs, wait until the cherry blossoms are in full bloom Taipei Citywalk, start a day of admiring cherry blossoms at Yangmingshan, experiencing Beitou Hot Springs, and checking in at Taipei 101. Yangmingshan is Taipei's backyard, and every year from February to March is the season of blooming flowers, with colorful azaleas and early cherry blossoms competing for beauty. By the end of February, the Yaezakura cherry blossoms are blooming competitively, and when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the misty clouds surround the green hills, and soaking in a sulfur hot spring is like a springtime encounter. 🌸 Flower Viewing Spots: Yangmingshan Flower Clock (Pic 2-7) Yangmingshan Fountain (Pic 1) Yangmingshan Second Parking Lot (Pic 9) 🚍 How to get there: Take the small 8 bus from the Jiantan MRT station, or take the 129/small 9 bus from the Beitou MRT station to reach the above flower viewing spots. 📝 Flower Viewing Tips: 1⃣ The Yangmingshan Flower Clock is planted along the stream with colorful azaleas, which bloom at the end of February together with the early cherry blossoms, creating a layered effect. 2⃣ The Yangmingshan Fountain is tightly surrounded by Yaezakura cherry blossoms, resembling light pink clouds, and the combination with the fountain is very photogenic. 3⃣ The cherry blossoms at the Second Parking Lot bloom earlier, and by the time of visit, it is nearing the end of the flower season. 4⃣ The bus schedule provided by Google Maps for the Yangmingshan area is not accurate; wait for the bus based on the electronic display. 5⃣ Yangmingshan also has other nice attractions such as Xiaoyoukeng and Qixing Mountain (my visit failed due to heavy fog at the mountain top). You can take the 108 bus (circular mountain bus) from the Yangmingshan bus terminal, but pay attention to the schedule as there are not many buses. ♨️ Beitou Hot Springs: Yangmingshan is an active volcano with abundant geothermal resources. The hot springs in the Beitou area are natural green sulfur springs, which are said to contain trace amounts of radium and have healing effects, one of only two in the world. In addition to hot spring hotels, you can also choose specialized hot spring shops. I chose the 'Emperor Pool Hot Spring Royal Meal Pavilion', which can be reached by the small 8/small 9 bus. The hot spring is located in the sulfur stream of Yangmingshan, surrounded by numerous spring eyes steaming with sulfur vapor. After soaking in the sulfur spring, the skin really becomes more delicate, worth a try. ⭕️ The private bathhouse requires at least two people (500 Taiwan dollars), with a 30-minute limit on holidays and 40 minutes on weekdays; the public pool is not time-limited (250), and the locker requires a 20 coin. ❗️ If you choose the mixed public pool, bring a swimsuit. ‼️ There is a restaurant inside, and if you spend more than 400 on a meal, you can soak in the public pool for free. 🗻 Sulfur Valley: After soaking in the hot springs, I checked in at Sulfur Valley (Pic 10-11), a 15-minute walk from the Emperor Pool Hot Springs. A large amount of sulfur vapor spews from the ground, accompanied by boiling and erupting spring water, making a hissing sound, a spectacular scene. 🏢 Taipei 101: After the tour, I checked in at several classic spots of Taipei 101. 1⃣ Takeuchi Izakaya (Pic 12-13), walk south for 10 minutes from Exit 2 of the Xiangshan MRT station to compress the towering skyscraper and old house into one picture, creating a beauty of old and new integration. 2⃣ Xiangshan (Pic 14-16), enter the mountain from the 'Xiangshan Trail' entrance on Google Maps, choose the right path at the first fork, and reach the photography platform in 15 minutes. But it is recommended to continue walking up for 10 minutes to the Six Giant Rocks viewing platform, where the view is more open. The mountain trail is all stone steps with handrails and street lights, making climbing effortless.